Whenever overly complicated and seemingly unnecessarily contrived machines are required then there in no one better call than from the drawing desk of cartoonist William Heath Robinson. His whimsical inventions were improbable, rickety machine barely kept going by incessant tinkering.
Nellie says just strap ‘er on and I’ll get you through the jungle to your destination. An Indian with an Indian being carried by an Indian elephant. Adventure awaits!
Gotta love the early 20th Century imagination of where things will go as an inspired future beckoned. Art Deco form with streamlining lines. We were promised the future: we’ll, here we are? Where are our flying cars, excess relaxation time, less stress. I think we took a wrong turn somewhere!
German Triumph-Werke Nürnberg TWN 350cc aus den frühen dreißiger jahren. Die junge dame sieht uneschroken aus in ihrer reitkleidung. Der hund ist gleichgültig.
This bridge is one of four rare Scherzer rolling lift bascule bridges in Joliet that cross the Des Plaines river. Once a thriving transporation hub, this crossing built in 1933 would lift to allow the barge traffic from the nearby Sanitary and Ship Canal through. Carrying both industrial products and raw materials it was arterial in Chicagos economic success up until the 70’s.
The great Al Bowlly 1932
Love is the sweetest thing What else on earth could ever bring Such happiness to ev’rything As Love’s old story.
Love is the greatest thing The oldest yet, the latest thing I only hope that fate may bring Love’s story to you.
– on our road trip through Iowa we stopped in at this impressive collection of motorcycles. Here is a selection of engines spanning 7 decades. More to follow this week!
“Call me Ishmael”
On this day 200 years ago the whaling ship Essex was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in the middle of the South Pacific. This maritime story gave Herman Melville the idea for his classic novel Moby Dick. This 1928 Brought Superior SS100, also named Moby Dick recently sold for over £500,000. The name was given after Motor Cycling magazine tested it in 1931 and declared it “the fastest privately-owned machine in the world”.
– Welsh singer actor Lee Evans promoting a thirties vibe in sheepskin lined belted leather coat, tall engineer boots, and over the shoulder napsack. The Vincent Comet is a suitable motorcycle prop for the magazine shoot. The vintage backdrop adds a perfect foil.
Picked up this great reference book of Triumph motorcycles from the last eighty odd years. All models and variations discussed in depth from the legendary Meriden examples to the current Hinckley offerings. Lots of photos and masses of written information.
The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles 1937-Today https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760366012/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_EIw8EbMGGRAH3
A pair of intrepid adventurers with their Triumph combination somewhere in Alkebulan (Mother of Mankind) during a 1932 trip across the continent. It’s Frank Flood and Jim C. Wilson who rode from the Nigerian cost to The Red Sea. The original dual sport travelers. Short sleeves and pith helmets.
On this day in 1936 Vickers test pilot ‘Mutt’ Summers took the RJ Mitchell designed prototype up for an eight minute test flight at Eastleigh Aerodrome. A legend was born.
geordiebiker.com 